KEEPING the children busy during February half term can be a tricky feat for any parent but the new campaign at Chester Zoo is sure to help.

The family friendly event is part of the Bloom campaign with activities such as bird watching, willow weaving, wildlife spotting and building bird feeders all taking place.

The events are just the latest part of the zoo’s ongoing campaign to help protect threatened UK native wildlife.

Head of discovery and learning at the zoo, Charlotte Smith said: “Our Bloom campaign is all about nature coming alive as we head in to the spring. It’s a real celebration of birds, gardens and UK species – an unmissable event for wildlife lovers.

“The zoo will be buzzing with activity all through half term as families learn how to make the most of the amazing world here on our very own doorstep.

"We’ll be running masterclasses in wildlife spotting and bird watching, as well as leading fun workshops showing how to make simple bird feeders which visitors can take away to help attract new species to their gardens at home.

“It’s really important that we connect all generations with animals and nature, not just those species in faraway places but those that are living all around us in our very own backyard.”

The daily itinerary from 18 – 26 February:

10.30 - 11.30am - The Great Chester Zoo Bird Watch

A free drop-in session with the zoo’s ranger team and see if you can spot and identify the bird species that visit the zoo at this time of year.

Practice your identification skills and tell the rangers what birds have been visiting your own backyard so that you can identify them next time.

12 - 1pm - Make your own bird feeder

Providing food for British bird species is becoming more and more important, and you can help out too. Join the zoo’s ranger team and help them make a bird feeder. You can even take your finished feeder home with you, and see who comes for dinner!

1 - 2pm - Make your own seed bombs

A free drop-in session with the zoo’s ranger team where you can make your very own seed bomb! They will need to be full of native flower seeds for an explosion of colourful flowers in your garden.

2 - 3pm - Make your own paper book bird

Create your very own paper book bird to take home with you in this free drop-in session.

3 - 4pm - Wildlife Spotters

Join the zoo’s ranger team in a free drop-in session as they go on a search to find out what wildlife is visiting the zoo grounds at this time of year.

For more information visit www.chesterzoo.org/bloom